Systems & Technology External & Analyst Relations

This week, IBM launched its new System z mainframe, the IBM zEnterprise EC12. This is the second-generation in our hybrid enterprise-class systems, building on the success of the zEnterprise 196.

We believe that to succeed in the new era of computing, our clients must find a better way to store, process and analyze their growing volumes of critical data. Since its launch in 2010, over 140 new clients in both major markets and growth markets have trusted zEnterprise to handle their mission-critical workloads. With an IBM R&D investment of over $1B and the collaboration of more than 2,500 IBM development engineers across 17 labs worldwide, the zEC12 is designed to deliver even greater levels of client value by providing:

Efficiency at scale. With 25% more performance per core and 50% more capacity than its predecessor, the zEC12 delivers superior economics through large-scale workload consolidation. The zEC12 is optimized for private clouds and delivers even more data center efficiency by integrating System z with Power Systems and System x blades under one unified management system.

Operational analytics. The zEC12 helps clients build intelligence into their business transactions by combining real-time and historical data using technology like the DB2 Analytics Accelerator. This improved insight allows clients to expand the value of each transaction with their customers.

Ultimate security. The zEC12 has enhanced security capabilities, such as near real-time workload monitoring and improved data encryption technologies, to address unique industry requirements and lower security administrative costs by up to 50%.

You can find more information about the zEC12 here. And read how a growing list of companies in emerging economies are relying on the IBM System z mainframe to build their infrastructures.

The acquisition will buttress IBM's work in the solid state storage area, which provides dramatically faster data storage and access times over traditional disk and tape solutions. Solid state storage solutions are also more efficient and consume far less energy than traditional solutions. Over time, the plan is to integrate TMS technologies into IBM PureSystems offerings.

Stories about the acquisition plans have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, ZDNet and Forbes. George Crump, an analyst with Storage Switzerland, also published a blog, noting: "In what could be one of the
most important acquisitions of the year, IBM today announced plans to
acquire Texas Memory Systems... we think this is an excellent move on the part of IBM. Texas
Memory brings a deep technical bench and excellent leadership that will
allow IBM to differentiate itself from other large storage vendors." Crump also noted: "...this purchase significantly strengthens IBM’s SSD Strategy. As the
Texas Memory products are integrated into the IBM portfolio it puts IBM
on par, if not ahead of EMC for completeness of flash offering."

In short, the problems started with a lack of investment in maintenance of it's systems, then they applied software that would only work if the system had been updated correctly.

James also goes on to say why the systems that support a business day after day doing the "boring stuff" get ignored - buying new stuff is much more interesting and possibly career changing for those that implement it successfully. Neither is bad but a balance needs to be reached.

"Mainframe shops that invest in getting current with operating systems
and software can run mainframes at lower cost than those that don’t.
Investing in legacy is, and can be, a competitive advantage."